Coldest Winter since 1998-1999 Grips Alaska

news image
Special Stories
7 Mar 2020 1:11 PM
Alaska just experienced its coldest meteorological winter (December, January, February) in 21 years. https://youtu.be/NizFJ-lPmcE It will also go down as the 22nd coldest winter in the 96-year period of record, putting it in the coldest 25% of winters for the state as a whole. The interior and north slope were the primary drivers of the big chill. Fairbanks plunged below -30°F on 33 days, which was the most since 1999. The high temperatures failed to even hit 0°F on 51 separate days, which was the most since 1974! February was notably cold in northern Alaska, which contributed to the overall statistics. Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow) had an average monthly temperature of -26.1°F in the month of February, which was nearly 12° below the long term average. The mercury dropped to or below -40° on 7 separate occasions during the month, which was the most in any month since January of 1989. All of this cold came after Alaska had its warmest year statewide in 2019.  
All Weather News
More
Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe weather looks to return to parts of th

12 Oct 2026 11:50 AM
Tropics: Another Blob in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

Tropics: Another Blob in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

12 Oct 2026 11:35 AM
Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Rockies this Week

Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Rockies this Week

A strong upper-level trough digging south fro

12 Oct 2026 11:30 AM
Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, F

12 Oct 2026 11:20 AM
Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week

Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week

More records were broken across the central p

12 Oct 2026 11:05 AM
Rachel Spreading Moisture into the Southwest

Rachel Spreading Moisture into the Southwest

Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico

12 Oct 2026 11:00 AM
Flooding, Tornadoes Target Central Florida Thursday

Flooding, Tornadoes Target Central Florida Thursday

Deep tropical moisture streaming north from t

8 Oct 2026 1:00 PM